Power Outage

What to Do

  • Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Do not use the gas stove or gas oven to heat your home. Charcoal grills, generators, and camp stoves must be used outdoors and away from windows.
  • Keep refrigerators and freezers closed.
  • Unplug appliances and electronics.
  • Go to an alternate location for heating or cooling.
  • Laboratory Shutdown Procedure in the event of a power outage:
    • Stop lab work.
    • Shut off ignition sources such as Bunsen burners.
    • Close the sash on fume hoods and biosafety cabinets.
    • Remove personal protective equipment.
    • Evacuate the building.

How to Prepare

  • Prepare a flashlight and a battery pack to charge your phone.
  • Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for electricity-powered medical devices or refrigerated medicine.
  • FEMA Power Outage Info

How to Recover

  • When in doubt, throw it out! Throw out any food exposed to temperatures higher than 40 degrees for more than 2 hours or has any unusual color, smell, or texture.
  • If the power is out for more than a day, throw out any refrigerated medications, unless the label says otherwise.